The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off this week with 20 teams competing in baseball's premier international tournament. MLB staff predictions favor the United States to claim the title, defeating defending champions Japan, with Bobby Witt Jr. as the anticipated MVP. The event features star-studded rosters and a packed schedule across multiple venues.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins Wednesday night Eastern Time, starting with Chinese Taipei versus Australia. This 20-team tournament runs from March 4 to March 17, with pool play in a round-robin format across four pools. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage, with quarterfinals in Houston and Miami, semifinals and the championship on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
MLB staff conducted a poll to predict outcomes. In Pool A, Puerto Rico and Canada are expected to advance over Colombia, Cuba, and Panama, marking the most divisive pool. Puerto Rico seeks its first title despite lacking some big names, while Canada aims for its first knockout-stage appearance with enhanced MLB talent.
Pool B sees the United States and Mexico progressing past Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. The U.S. boasts its most talented roster yet, including captain Aaron Judge in his debut, alongside Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson, Cal Raleigh, Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Roman Anthony, and Bobby Witt Jr., who is set for a larger role after limited play in 2023. Pitching features Tarik Skubal in one start, Paul Skenes, Logan Webb, and Mason Miller. Mexico's lineup includes Alejandro Kirk, Jarren Duran, and Randy Arozarena.
In Pool C, Japan and Korea are predicted to move on ahead of Chinese Taipei, Australia, and Czechia. Japan, with three prior titles, retains 10 players from its 2023 championship team, including Shohei Ohtani, who struck out Mike Trout to clinch the final but will not pitch this time. Yoshinobu Yamamoto also features prominently. Korea hopes to end recent struggles after failing to advance in the last three WBCs.
Pool D favors the Dominican Republic and Venezuela over the Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Israel. The Dominicans, absent from 2023 quarterfinals, enter with high expectations and stars like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Julio Rodríguez. Venezuela seeks revenge after a 2023 quarterfinal loss to the U.S., sealed by Trea Turner's grand slam.
Overall, staff picks the United States as champions, citing their strengthened roster since the 2023 final loss to Japan. The Dominican Republic and Japan also received votes. For MVP, Bobby Witt Jr. leads, followed by others like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Ohtani. All 47 games air on Fox networks and stream on fubo.
